OBJECTIVE: The Muller-Lyer illusion is a visual illusion in which a horizontal shaft with an inward-pointing chevron (fins-out) affixed to each end is perceived longer than a shaft with outward-pointing chevrons (fins-in). The goal of this study was to compare the effects of experience and knowledge about the Muller-Lyer illusion on participants' perceptual precision. METHODS: Participants were undergraduate students (n = 108) who were not familiar with the Muller-Lyer illusion prior to the experiment. The task of participants was to adjust one movable line to make it equal to the other in Muller-Lyer figure. They received ascending and descending Muller-Lyer trials in three blocks with 20 trials each. The Experimental Group received information about the Muller-Lyer illusion prior to the third block. RESULTS: For the Experimental Group, the amount of departure in Block 3 was reduced significantly compared with previous blocks. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about the mechanisms underlying visual illusions may play an important role in helping individuals overcome them.
OBJECTIVE: The Muller-Lyer illusion is a visual illusion in which a horizontal shaft with an inward-pointing chevron (fins-out) affixed to each end is perceived longer than a shaft with outward-pointing chevrons (fins-in). The goal of this study was to compare the effects of experience and knowledge about the Muller-Lyer illusion on participants' perceptual precision. METHODS:Participants were undergraduate students (n = 108) who were not familiar with the Muller-Lyer illusion prior to the experiment. The task of participants was to adjust one movable line to make it equal to the other in Muller-Lyer figure. They received ascending and descending Muller-Lyer trials in three blocks with 20 trials each. The Experimental Group received information about the Muller-Lyer illusion prior to the third block. RESULTS: For the Experimental Group, the amount of departure in Block 3 was reduced significantly compared with previous blocks. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about the mechanisms underlying visual illusions may play an important role in helping individuals overcome them.
Authors: Ann Lavrysen; Werner F Helsen; Digby Elliott; Martinus J Buekers; Peter Feys; Elke Heremans Journal: Exp Brain Res Date: 2006-05-23 Impact factor: 1.972